Town may purchase dams from power plant company

SWANSEA — Article 31 of the annual Town Meeting will request that voters approve an allocation of $200,000 for the purchase of eight parcels of land currently owned by NRG, the company that had the former Montaup power plant.

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By BILL HALL

southcoasttoday.com

By BILL HALL

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 11:40 AM

By BILL HALL

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 11:40 AM

» Social News

SWANSEA — Article 31 of the annual Town Meeting will request that voters approve an allocation of $200,000 for the purchase of eight parcels of land currently owned by NRG, the company that had the former Montaup power plant.

The eight properties are in various locations in town and include five dams, three of which would be in need of maintenance, costing between $250,000 to more than $600,000. The properties would be purchased through town funds and Community Preservation Act money, drawing $100,000 into the purchase from each fund.

The purchases have taken a long road with negotiations ongoing since the properties became available. The properties had been owned by Montaup and dams built in order to hold back water for ponds that could be used to cool down the turbines at the power plant.

Pipe lines extended from the ponds to the Montaup plant going through Swansea and Somerset. With the closing of the Montaup plant, the pipeline and water were no longer needed.

The eight parcels are assessed at $2,281,000 and paid $45,339.88 in taxes to the town, according to the real estate tax bills at the tax collector/treasurer's office. Somerset Power LLC from Princeton, New Jersey, has paid all taxes.

The CPA money would be used to purchase the 105 acres that are north of the Village Park and Case Junior High School land. By using CPA money, that land would be held in conservation.

The other properties include the Swansea dam and Lewin Pond behind it, Milford dam and the Milford Pond behind RK Plaza (Target) and the other is on property that abuts town park land where the Little League fields are. Other properties include a large parcel that abuts town- owned land behind the Salvation Army Store on G.A.R. Highway.

During a meeting with the Advisory and Finance Board last Wednesday, board member Nat Chamberlain voiced concern over the ownership of the dams and the problems that can result in long term costs. He pointed to a scenario of what would happen if a barrel of hazardous waste was found in the water.

Town Administrator James Kern noted that the position of the Board of Selectmen is that they would like the town to own the properties rather than a private individual. They have pointed out that a private individual or company could decide to take down the dams at which point the current ponds would become rivers or streams. They also are concerned about the use of the 105 acres that could turn into house lots. The feeling was that the properties could be purchased below value and continue to be a source of recreation and open space of the town.

Mr. Chamberlain was the lone member of the A & F Board not to recommend approval for the article.